Portable continuous feed delivery system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A portable feed delivery system can have a first feed container including a first conveyor apparatus that delivers feed to a second feed container, where a second conveyor apparatus delivers feed to a feed delivery conduit that can be directed by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As presently practiced in most commercial broiler houses, after tendays, the feed is delivered automatically to feed pans positioned in aline and spaced to provide feed access for all chickens around the feedpan. However, the automated system only works when chicks are largeenough to eat from the pan and have been properly trained andconditioned to feed from the pans and to trigger the automatic fillmechanisms. Initially, when baby chicks are placed, the baby chicks aretoo small to reach the pans for the first 10 days of growth.Grower/farmer is required to place a large number of trays alongside andsurrounding the automated feed pans. It is mandatory for thegrower/farmer to use the tray supplementary feeding because the broileroutcome in average daily gains and feed conversion depends on feedavailability during the first 10 days of life. The best managementpractice demands that ample feed is immediately available when placementis made and during the brooding when chick needs to find feed rapidly.The trays are placed between and on either side of the automated feedpans and around brooding heaters when available. Presently these traysare filled manually.

The manual filling of the supplemental feed tray is very strenuous work.Since the physical energy and labor required for the filling task isenormous, a typical grower/farmer cannot accomplish the task alone.Further, the probability of injury, even to physically fit individuals,is great due to repetitive scooping and carrying buckets of feed to fillthe trays, since a bucket of feed weighs about 35 pound. The strenuousnature of the work often eliminates many elderly growers fromparticipating in this activity because they are not physically able tofill the trays manually.

A typical broiler farm with six houses has to hire additional labor toperform the work. The average expectation to fill the trays manually forsix houses with buckets is six people, in addition to the grower/farmer,working about 10 hours. At this pace, the trays in one house are filledin 1.7 hour or at a time cost of 10 man hours of hired labor toaccomplish the task. Presently, the industry has not had a successfulfeed delivery system for filling the supplemental trays for the veryyoung chicks. In the past, an approach was tried by using an overheadfeed cart on an elevated trolley that is operator controlled. In thiseffort, feed is delivered down the trolley in an overhead hopper whichis delivered to the trays via an auger to a flexible hose directed bythe operator. This approach works best in houses that do not haveautomatic feed lines since the rigging has to be dropped to the floorout of the way during the first two weeks if the house has an automatedfeed system. Further, the trolley idea was proposed prior to the use ofequipment such a windrowing, automated distribution of bedding with alarge truck, overhead permanent heaters, and automated drinkers and feedlines that hang from the building ceilings. In addition, many of themodern broiler houses have ceilings even lower than previous ones tofacilitate greater wind speed when operating in tunnel and offer evenless space to house a permanent trolley. Thus, in conclusion, physicalobstructions, such as trolleys, are detrimental to accessibility andwind speed in modern houses and the apparatus was not accepted by theindustry.

Another approach called the “Feed Caddy” is pulled behind a smalltractor or ATV during which paper is rolled out onto which feed isautomatically dropped. This approach is an improvement in that it doeseliminate much of the physical effort and can be operated faster thanmanual delivery of feed. The chicks waste considerable feed off thepaper and moisture may contribute to rapid disintegration of the paperbefore 10 days has elapsed; thereby, causing shortage of feedavailability for some chicks that will get a slow start. With this “FeedCaddy” apparatus, the feed still cannot be delivered into supplementaltrays. Trays are still required, as noted above. Thus, feed may beunavailable for some chicks with the “Feed Caddy” method.

In spite of the aforementioned methods, the broiler industrygrower/farmer still must use supplementary trays. The present practiceof providing ample quantity of feed for all chicks during this criticaltime is met by surrounding the automated feed pans and floor heaterswith flat shallow trays and then filling each of these trays with feedfrom scoops or buckets. The manual fill of trays by pouring feed from ascoop or bucket is exhausting, since a typical broiler house of 23,000chicks requires 250 trays or about 2600 pound of feed and more if alarge modern house exists. Today, most growers/farmers transport feed ina cart pulled with an ATV or fill the back of a pickup truck with feedand then manually scoop out and transfer the feed into trays, usuallywith 5 gallon buckets.

The portable feed delivery system allows mounting and dismounting of theentire system from the transport vehicle after filling the trays;thereby, cost effectively freeing the vehicle for other uses. Anotherobject is to use proven and mechanically reliable components to meet thereliability requirement of this critical poultry feed deliveryapplication. Its ease of assembly, durability, and low cost ofmanufacturing supports rapid market penetration. Thus, the portable feeddelivery system provides a scalable capacity with bulk quantities offeed in a mechanically simple portable continuous feed system whilefreeing the operator from tedious control needed to deliver feedreliably into a small tray without waste.

Using this portable feed delivery system, two individuals can easilycomplete the tray filling operation for 23,000 chicks within 26 minutesand allowing another 20 minutes to fill the portable feed box. The totaltime is 46 minutes per house. With this portable feed delivery system,the object is for the grower/farmer to be the operator controlling thedelivery of the feed into the tray and only one other person is requiredto drive the transport vehicle. This translates into 1 man hour of hiredlabor to fill the trays using the Portable Continuous Feed DeliverySystem per house. A comparison of this invention method (1 worker for 1hr) with the manual method (6 hired workers for 1.7 hr) illustrates a 10fold increased efficiency of effort over the manual method of fillingnormally practiced in the broiler industry. Thus, the portable feeddelivery system enables growers to reduce the variable labor costassociated with short out-times and narrow profit margins since thegrower and one other person can perform the entire work in a shortertime and with less effort.

Another major object of this invention is the ease of use of thisinvention, which enables elderly growers/farmers of either gender toperform the work without risk of physical breakdown or injury due toheavy lifting or twisting while walking with and empting loaded feedbuckets. Another object of the invention provides a feed delivery systemthat is suitable for use by women, elderly, and individuals with minorphysical limitations. Thus, a broader object of the invention is toallow elderly growers to continue growing broilers even as they becomemore infirm, or even begin a broiler operation business during theirretirement years.

The portable feed delivery system provides an appropriate continuousstream of feed at a high flow rate (100 pounds per minute), to becapable of delivery of feed into asymmetrically positioned target trayswithout waste, to direct the stream of feed into shallow trays, and toprovide easy control of the feed stream by the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a portable feed deliverysystem that delivers an adjustable rate of feed flow controlled by augersize and hydraulic oil flow rate. More specifically, the continuous feeddelivery is easily directed into trays by the operator pointing adelivery conduit as he/she walks along filling each tray sequentially.The portable feed delivery system delivers a continuous stream of feedthat can be mounted or dismounted from a transport vehicle.

In accordance with one embodiment, a first feed container is mounted viaside jacks onto the bed of a half-ton pickup, or is lifted via a forklift on a skid steer or front end loader of a tractor. The first feedcontainer with its lid open is positioned under a drop tube on the mainfeed line auger that brings feed from an external feed bin into thebroiler house. The first feed container is filled sufficiently to fillall or a portion of the trays in the house with 23,000 birds. Sincethere is excess capacity in the first feed container, additional feedmay be added when larger houses are serviced.

The vehicle is then moved forward and aligned approximately three feetparallel to the row of feed trays surrounding the automatic feed lineand associated feed pans. At this time, the operator starts thegenerator or gasoline powered engine that provides the electric powerfor the first and second electric motors coupled to the feed conveyors.Alternatively, if a gasoline engine is used, a skid steer or tractor isused to pump the hydraulic oil, the motors coupled to the two conveyorsare activated as the oil is pumped through the system. Oil valves areadjusted to preset positions to deliver 100 pounds of feed per minute;however, the operator can adjust the valve to a slower fixed rate offeed delivery by adjusting the manual valve that is convenientlypositioned near the operator on a fold out arm. Regardless of whichmethod is used to power the conveyors, either the electric switches orthe hydraulic oil valves, both feed conveyors transport the feed towardthe outlets simultaneously. The first feed container outlet door isadjusted so that the output of the first feed container equals theoutput of the second feed container, and the feed exits the second feedcontainer from a flexible tube and plastic outlet into the feed tray asa steady stream of feed.

The forward motion and ground speed of the transport vehicle is adjustedby the driver to match the momentum of the tray filling action of thefeed as directed by the operator holding the light weight slidingplastic tube. As the trays fill, the operator walks to the next tray andpoints the end of the tube toward the tray as the feed exits by force ofgravity. The operator fills each tray in succession and avoids waste byrapidly moving the tube from one tray to the other. The trays arepreviously positioned adjacent to each other before commencing the filloperation. When the trays are not positioned next to one another, theoperator can open or close the outlet by manually operating a handlemechanism which controls the flow of feed out of the feed tube.

Upon reaching the end of the trays along one feed line, the transportvehicle is repositioned on the opposite parallel side of the house andthe second feed conveyor is moved from the cradle on one side to thecradle on the other side of the second feed container if the river thenproceeds in the reverse direction as the operator continues to directthe continuous flow of feed into the trays.

After filling the last tray, the first and second conveyors are shutoff, the feed conduit is placed in a stable position, and the driverproceeds to the next broiler house where he positions the first feedcontainer under the drop tube for filling. The procedure is thenrepeated for each house until all trays are filled.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description, wherein we have shown and described only thepreferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration ofthe best mode contemplated by us of carrying out our invention. As willbe realized, the invention is capable of other and differentembodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications invarious obvious respects, all without departing from the invention.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows a front view of a feed delivery system.

FIG. 1 b shows a perspective view of the inside of a first feedcontainer, showing a baffle.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the first conveyer apparatus and the baffle.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the first conveyer apparatus and a feeddispensing controller.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a second feed container.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a second conveyor apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a second conveyor in the second conveyorapparatus disposed within the second feed container.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a cradle.

FIG. 8 shows an angled view of the second conveyor apparatus and firstand second delivery conduits.

FIG. 9 a shows a view of the end of the second conduit, showing a doorin a closed position.

FIG. 9 b shows the door of 9 a in an open position.

FIG. 10 a shows a perspective view of the second conveyor apparatushaving an operational handle.

FIG. 10 b shows the second conveyor apparatus of 10 a showing the doorin an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 a, an embodiment of a portable feed delivery system100 comprises a first feed container 110. The capacity of the first feedcontainer 110 is configured to hold at least 4,000 pounds of feed.Alternatively, the first feed container 110 may hold between at least100-10,000 pounds of feed. The first feed container 110 includes aplurality of walls defining an internal volume having vertical regions120 and angled regions 122 that are sloped and merge in the center ofthe first feed container 110 into a trough 130. For example, the firstfeed container 110 may have the dimensions of 9 feet in length, 7 feetwide, and 3 feet deep, and the trough 130 may have the dimensions ofabout 12 inches deep, about 12 inches wide, and about 9.5 feet longextending the horizontal length of the first feed container 110.Alternatively, the first feed container 110 may have alternativedimensions of between about 2 to 50 feet in length, 2 to 50 feet inwidth, and 1 to 20 feet in depth. Alternatively, the trough 130 may havealternative dimensions of between about 1-50 inches in depth, about 1-50inches in width, and about 1 to 50 feet in length. The dimensions of thefirst feed container 110 and the trough 130 may be altered as to bestsuit a particular type of feed, delivery system, and the like.Furthermore, the trough 130 comprises an aperture 132 in the dispensingend of the trough 130. The shape of the first feed container 110 isgenerally rectangular; however, the shape of the first feed containermay be any polygonal shape, such as square, trilateral, pentagonal,hexagonal, circular, elliptical, and the like.

The first feed container 110 may further comprise a plurality ofdetachable support legs 134 removably attached to an outside surface ofthe first feed container 110 and extending generally downward. Thedetachable support legs 134 may be used to attach the portable feeddelivery system 100 to a lift system to facilitate the attachment of theportable feed delivery system 100 to a transport vehicle, such as atruck, including pickup trucks, or any other vehicle having an open loadbay.

The portable feed delivery system 100 may further comprise a pluralityof lifters 136. Each of the lifters 136 are associated with one of thedetachable support legs 134 and are configured to vertically lift theportable feed delivery system 100 to facilitate installment onto thetransport vehicle. In one embodiment, the lifters 136 are jacks that aremanually operated and allow the lifting of the system in order to clearthe pickup bed and then be lowered onto the bed for operationinstallation. Alternatively, the lifters 136 may be electronic orhydraulic lifters and may shift the horizontal position of the portablefeed delivery system 100 if need be. Furthermore, the first feedcontainer 110 may comprise one or more attachment members 138 on thebottom end of the trough 130 for attachment to said transport vehicle.The attachment members 138 may be generally vertical planks to stabilizethe first feed container 110 during transport.

The first feed container 110 further comprises a baffle 140, shown inFIG. 1 b, disposed above the rectangular trough 130. The baffle 140includes at least two generally angled surfaces. The baffle 140 ispositioned within the first feed container 110 to create a gap betweenthe angled regions 122 and the aperture 132, and the baffle 140facilitates the transmission of feed into the trough 130. The baffle 140is attached to and supported by the angled regions 122 by a plurality ofsupport members 142. The support members may be attached to both thebaffle 140 and the angled regions 122 by any appropriate means,including fasteners, bolts, screws, welding, and the like. The number ofsupport members 142 and location of attachment to the baffle 140 and theangled regions 122 may be adjusted to provide sufficient strength tosupport the feed contained by the first feed container 110. In a furtherembodiment, the first feed container 110 comprises one or more doors(not pictured) configured to cover the open upper surface of the firstfeed container 110. The doors may connect to or hinge with at least oneof the vertical regions 120 of the first feed container 110.

The feed delivery system 100 further comprises a first conveyorapparatus 200 disposed within and running along the length of the trough130, as shown in FIG. 2. The first conveyor apparatus 200 is configuredto receive feed contained by the first feed container 110 through thegap between the baffle 140 and the angled regions 122. The firstconveyor apparatus 200 comprises a first conveyor 201 which may be anytype of belt conveyor known in the industry, including chain beltconveyors, rubber belt conveyors, augers, and the like. In oneembodiment, the first conveyor 201 includes a plurality of apertureswalled by metal walls as to transport feed.

The first conveyor 201 comprises a belt, for example, a 7″ wide chainbelt functionally coupled to a first sprocket located beyond thedispensing end of the first feed container 110 and a second sprocketlocated towards the non-dispensing end of the first feed container 110.The first and second sprockets are positioned to position the chain suchthat it will move feed out the dispensing end of the first feedcontainer 110. The first sprocket is operably associated with a firstdriving mechanism which is operably associated with a power source. Whenthe first sprocket is turned by the driving mechanism, it in turn movesthe belt coupled thereto. Furthermore, the second sprocket is coupled tothe belt and configured to rotate freely, thereby providing support atthe non-dispensing end for the belt while simultaneously permitting thebelt to move freely. In the present embodiment, the driving mechanismcomprises a hydraulic motor operably associated with a hydraulic pump.

The speed of the first conveyor 201 can be optionally adjusted tocontrol the rate of feed delivery. In the present embodiment, the speedof operation of the hydraulic motor can be increased or reduced toadjust the rate of turning the drive sprocket, accordingly adjusting thespeed of the first conveyor 201. The speed of operation of the hydraulicmotor is controlled by the rate at which hydraulic fluid is delivered tothe hydraulic motor. The hydraulic fluid delivery rate can be controlledby one or more oil valves. For example, the oil valves can be configuredto have a preset position corresponding to an optimal feed delivery rateof 100 pounds per minute, alternatively, between 10-100 pounds perminute, alternatively, between 50-100 pounds per minute, alternativelybetween 80-100 pounds per minute.

In a further embodiment, the driving mechanism comprises an electricmotor operably associated with an electricity source. For instance, theelectricity source comprises a generator or a battery operablyassociated with an engine, such as an internal combustion engine. Inthis embodiment, the electric motor is configured to control its rate ofoperation to control the rate of turning of the drive sprocket,accordingly adjusting the speed of the first conveyor 201.

The first feed container 110 further comprises a feed dispensingcontroller 300 in the dispensing end of the first feed container 110,shown in FIG. 3. The feed dispensing controller 300 includes a bodymember 310 and a flow restrictor 320 attached to a lower end of the bodymember 310 forming a gap 322 between the lower edge of the flowrestrictor 320 and the first conveyor 201. The body member 310 may bevertically translated, thereby changing the vertical position of theflow restrictor 320 and, hence, between the flow restrictor 320 and thefirst conveyor 201. As the first conveyor 201 moves in directions 150,feed from the first feed container 110 is conveyed to and through thegap 322. By changing the vertical position of the flow restrictor 320,the rate of delivery of feed through the gap 322 may accordingly bechanged. For example, if the first conveyor 201 is moving at a fasterrate, the amount of feed may be greater and higher on the first conveyor201, so the gap 322 may have be enlarged by vertically changing theposition of the body member 310 to a higher position. The verticalposition may be changed such as by slidable movement, hatchetmechanisms, screw mechanisms, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the portable feed delivery system 100 furthercomprises a second feed container 400. The second feed container 400 islocated below the dispensing end of the first conveyor apparatus 200.The second feed container 400 comprises a lower surface (not shown) anda plurality of walls 402 defining an internal volume and an open upperarea 404. The second feed container 400 is positioned such that feedthat is moved off the dispensing end of the first conveyor 200 fallsinto the internal volume of the second feed container 400 via the openupper area 404. In one embodiment, the second feed container 400 has thedimensions of 1 foot deep, 1.5 feet wide and 2 feet long. The secondfeed container 400 further comprises one or more cutouts 406 on top ofat least one of the plurality of walls 402 as to receive a secondconveyor apparatus 500. Furthermore, the second feed container 400comprises a conveyor attachment structure 408 located within theinternal volume, as shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the conveyorattachment structure 408 is configured to rotate about its longitudinalaxis. The lower surface of the second feed container 400 defines alowest point for the portable feed delivery system 100.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the portable feed delivery system 100further comprises a second conveyor apparatus 500 operably coupled tothe second feed container 400. The second conveyor apparatus 500comprises a second conveyor 502, which may be any conveyor known in theindustry, including belt conveyors, augers, chains, belts, and the like.The second conveyor apparatus 500 has a loading end 504 disposed withinthe internal volume of the second feed container 400 and a dispensingend 506 disposed at a distance from the second feed container 400.

The second conveyor apparatus 500 further comprises a conveyor sheath508 disposed about the second conveyor 502. The conveyor sheath 508surrounds substantially the entire length of the second conveyor 502with openings at the loading end 504 and the dispensing end 506. Theopenings are located to facilitate the loading and dispensing of feed atthe respective ends of the second conveyor apparatus 500. The opening atthe dispensing end 506 is configured to be directed generally downwards;however, the dispending end 506 may be angled at an angle of between 0and 90 degrees depending upon the operation of the second conveyorapparatus 500.

As shown in FIG. 6, the conveyor sheath 508 is configured to engage withthe conveyor attachment structure 408 at its loading end 504. Asdescribed above, the conveyer attachment structure 408 rotates about itslongitudinal axis, thereby causing the second conveyer apparatus 500 torotate accordingly. The rotation of the second conveyor apparatus 500permits the conveyor sheath 508 to be disposed within the cutout 406 ofthe second feed container 400. Furthermore, in some embodiments, theconveyor attachment structure 408 comprises a rotation member 410coupled to the conveyer sheath 508. In this embodiment, the engagementof the conveyor attachment structure 408 to the conveyor sheath 508 isaccomplished via the rotation member 410. In the present embodiment, therotation member 410 comprises a bearing. The rotation member 410 permitsthe second conveyor apparatus 500 to rotate about the longitudinal axisof the conveyor sheath 508.

As shown in FIG. 5, the portable feed delivery system 100 furthercomprises a second driving mechanism 510. The second driving mechanism510 is operably associated with the second conveyor 502. In the presentembodiment, where the second conveyor 502 comprises an auger, the seconddriving mechanism 510 comprises a hydraulic motor operably associatedwith a hydraulic pump that operates substantially as the hydraulic motorand hydraulic pump described above for the first conveyor apparatus 500.The second driving mechanism 510 may be disposed within the portablefeed delivery system 100 wherever is desirable. In the presentembodiment, the second driving mechanism 510 is attached to thedispensing end of the conveyor sheath 508 and defines a high point forthe portable feed delivery system 100. The vertical distance between thelower surface of the second feed container 400 and the top of thedriving mechanism 510 is preferably about 90 inches. In otherembodiments, the distance may be lower, such as about 80 inches,alternatively, between about 1 and 1000 inches. In a further embodiment,the second driving mechanism 510 comprises an electric motor. Theelectric motor is associated with an electricity source, such as anelectric generator or a battery associated with an engine, such as aninternal combustion engine.

Attached to an outside surface of the first feed container 110 is acradle 700, as shown in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the cradle 700comprises an extension member 702 substantially parallel to the groundand attached at one end to the first feed container 110. The cradle 700further comprises a support member 704 attached to the extension member702 at one end and to an outside surface of the first feed container 110at another end. The cradle 700 can further comprise a conforming supportmember 706 configured to conform to the shape of the outside surface ofthe conveyor sheath 508. In the present embodiment, the conformingsupport member 706 is configured to have a concave shape to conform tothe tubular shape of the conveyor sheath 508. The conforming supportmember 706 is attached to the extension member 702 and positioned suchthat the conveyer sheath 508 rests upon the length of the conformingsupport member 706, permitting the cradle 700, in conjunction with theconveyer attachment structure 408, to support the weight of the secondconveyer apparatus 500. In this embodiment, the interface between theconforming support member 706 and the conveyor sheath 508 inhibits therotation of the conveyor sheath 508 about its longitudinal axis. Theplacement of the cradle 700 and the conforming support member 706 isconfigured to not interfere with the opening at the dispensing end ofthe conveyor sheath 508.

The cradle 700 can further comprise a pair of receiving members 708. Thereceiving members 708 extend generally perpendicular to the conformingsupport member 706 and include a tapered end at an end opposite theconforming support member 706. The receiving members 708 are spacedapart from each other a distance greater than the diameter of theconveyer sheath 508. The receiving members 708 are configured to guidethe conveyor sheath 508 to interface with and rest upon the conformingsupport member 706.

In an alternative embodiment, the cradle 700 does not include aconforming support member 706. Instead of resting upon the conformingsupport member 706, the second conveyor apparatus 500 engages with andrests upon the extension member 702. In this embodiment, the interfacebetween the extension member 702 and the conveyor sheath 508 issubstantially lower in surface area than between the conforming supportmember 706 and the conveyor sheath 508, resulting in a correspondingreduction in the rotational inhibition imparted to the conveyor sheath508.

Referring to FIG. 8, the feed delivery system 100 further comprises aconduit apparatus comprising a first delivery conduit 800 and a seconddelivery conduit 810. The first delivery conduit comprises a receivingopening 802 at a receiving end and a dispensing opening 804 at adispensing end, and the second delivery conduit 810 comprises areceiving opening 812 at a receiving end and a dispensing opening 814 ata receiving end. The first delivery conduit 800 is configured totransmit feed between the second conveyor assembly 500 and the seconddelivery conduit 810. The receiving end of the first delivery conduit802 communicates with the dispensing end 506 of the second conveyor 500and is positioned such that as feed exits the opening at the dispensingend 506 it falls into the receiving opening 802. The feed then passesthrough the length of the first conduit 800 and exits the dispensingopening 804.

In the present embodiment, the first conduit 800 is formed of a flexiblematerial. The flexibility of the material forming the first conduit 800permits an operator to direct the flow of feed out the dispensing end804. The flexible material may be any polymer material, rubber material,and the like. In one embodiment, the flexible material is a corrugatedstructure as to extend longitudinally along the length of the firstconduit 800 and be axially displaced by an operator.

The first conduit 800 is operably coupled to the second conduit 810 suchthat the dispensing opening 804 of the first conduit 800 communicateswith the receiving opening 812 of the second delivery conduit 810. Asfeed passes through the dispensing opening 804, it enters the secondconduit 810 through the receiving opening 812. The feed travels throughthe length of the second conduit 810 and to the dispensing end 814,where the feed exits the second conduit 810. In the present embodiment,the dispensing end 814 is configured to form a 45 degree angle withrespect to the ground. Alternatively, the dispensing end 814 may beconfigured to form any angle with respect to the ground, depending onthe operation of the feed system, such as to be about 0 to 180 degreeswith respect to the ground.

In the present embodiment, the second conduit 810 is formed out of arigid material. In operation, the flexible material forming the firstconduit 800 allows a user to freely move the second conduit 810 anddirect the flow of feed out the dispensing end 814.

The second conduit 810 further comprises a door 900 disposed over thedispensing end 814, as shown in FIGS. 9 a-b. The door 900 is configuredto optionally transition between an open state and a closed state,preferably the door 900 is biased to the closed state such as tosubstantially abut the dispensing end 814 and create a sealed openingthereon. When in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 9 a, the door 900blocks the dispensing end 814, preventing the passage of feedtherethrough. When in the open state, the door 900 does not cover thedispensing end 814 and accordingly does not impede the flow of feedthrough the dispensing end 814. In one embodiment, the door 900 ismaintained in the closed state by a retention mechanism. In the presentembodiment, the retention mechanism may comprise a hinge 902, atensioning member 904, and a tensioning member anchor 906. One side ofthe hinge 902 is attached to the second conduit 810 and the other sideof the hinge 902 is attached to the door 900. The tensioning member 904is attached at one end to the second conduit 810 and at another end tothe door 900 by the tensioning member anchor 906. In a native state, thedoor 900 is held in the closed state by the tensioning member 904. Whenfeed is dispensed through the second conduit 810, the weight of the feedcounteracts the force applied by the tensioning member 904 and causesthe door 900 to transition to the open state.

In a further embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises anoperational handle 1000, a tensioning member 1010, a hinge 1012, anoffsetting member 1014, and a tensioning member anchor 1016. Theoperational handle 1000 comprises a fixed arm 1002, a rotating arm 1004,and a base 1006. The base 1006 is affixed to the second conduit 810 somedistance from the dispensing end 814. In the present embodiment, thebase 1006 is affixed at the receiving end 812. The rotating arm 1004 isrotationally coupled to the base 1006 at one end, extends away from thebase 1006, and includes an aperture 1008 at another end. The fixed arm1002 is fixedly attached to the base 1006 at one end and extends awayfrom the base 1006. The rotating arm 1004 can be positioned in a firststate where the rotating arm 1004 extends some distance from the fixedarm 1002, or a second state where the rotating arm 1004 abuts or comesclose to and is generally parallel to the fixed arm 1002.

The hinge 1012 is connected on one side to the second conduit 810 and onthe other side to the door 900 allowing the door to rotate. Theoffsetting member 1014 is attached to the door 900 at one end andcomprises a tensioning member guide 1015 at an opposite end that extendsaway from the door 900. In the present embodiment, the offsetting member1014 comprises an eye bolt, where the tensioning member 1010 passesthrough the eye of the bolt. The tensioning member 1010 is attached tothe rotating arm 1004 at the aperture 1008, is constrained by thetensioning member guide 1015, and is attached to the door 900 by thetensioning member anchor 1016. In the present embodiment, the tensioningmember 1010 comprises a wire.

Furthermore, the present embodiment may include a second tensioningmember as described above and shown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, whereby thesecond tensioning member causes the door 900 to transition from an openstate to a closed state when the user does not hold the rotating arm1004 in its second state. In other words, the user must overcome theforce of the second tensioning member to transition the door 900 fromthe closed state to the open state by exerting a force on the rotatingarm 1004 to transition the rotating arm 1004 from the first state andthe second state, accordingly transitioning the door 900 from the closedstate to the open state. When the user releases the rotating arm 1004,the second tensioning member exerts a force on the door 900 causing thedoor 900 to transition from the open state to the closed state,accordingly causing the rotating arm 1004 to transition from the secondstate to the first state.

In the present embodiment, the door 900 is natively in its closed statewhen the rotating arm 1004 is in the first state. When the rotating arm1004 is transitioned from the first state to the second state, thetensioning member 1010 applies a force to the door 900 via thetensioning member anchor 1016.

In an alternative embodiment, the door 900 can have positions other thanopen or closed, positions that optionally cover more or less of thedispensing end 814 to selectively control the flow of feed through thedispensing end 814.

In an alternative embodiment, the portable feed delivery system 100 isinstalled onto a tractor, such as a skid loader or a track loader,having fork lift capability. As tractors typically include an onboardhydraulic system, the hydraulic pumps needed for some embodiments of thefirst conveyer apparatus 200 and the second conveyor apparatus 500 maybe replaced by the onboard hydraulic system.

In this disclosure, there is shown and described the preferredembodiment and at least one alternative mechanical conveyance andtransport vehicle. In both instances, the continuous delivery of feed isconsistent and the end result of the ease of use by the operator is thesame even though each conveyance or vehicle used illustrates differentadvantages and disadvantages. It is to be understood that the inventionis capable of use in various other combinations and environments and iscapable of changes or modification within the scope of the inventiveconcept as expressed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable feed delivery system comprising: afirst feed container comprising a plurality of walls having verticalregions and angled regions defining an interior volume, the wallsforming a trough running along the longitudinal length of the first feedcontainer and having an aperture at a dispensing end of the first feedcontainer, and a baffle disposed above the trough; a first conveyorapparatus disposed within the trough and having a dispensing endextending out the aperture of the trough; a second feed containercomprising a bottom surface and a plurality of walls defining aninternal volume and an open upper area, further comprising a conveyorattachment structure disposed within the internal volume, the secondfeed container being positioned such that the open upper area isunderneath the dispensing end of the first conveyor apparatus; a secondconveyor apparatus having a loading end and a dispensing end, theloading end being disposed within the internal volume of the second feedcontainer and attached to the conveyor attachment structure, the secondconveyor apparatus extending through the open upper area of the secondfeed container, and the dispensing end being located at an end of thesecond conveyor apparatus opposite the loading end; and a conduitapparatus attached to the dispensing end of the second conveyorapparatus.
 2. The feed delivery system of claim 1, wherein the firstconveyor apparatus comprises: a first conveyor selected from the groupof conveyors consisting of belts, chains, and augers; a first drivingmechanism operably associated with the first conveyor; and a powersource operably associated with the first driving mechanism.
 3. The feeddelivery system of claim 1, wherein the first feed container furthercomprises a body member attached to the aperture of the trough andhaving a lower edge, and a flow restrictor attached to said lower edgeforming a gap between the flow restrictor and the first conveyorapparatus, wherein the body member can be translated vertically.
 4. Thefeed delivery system of claim 1, wherein the second conveyor apparatusfurther comprises: a second conveyor; and a conveyor sheath disposedabout the second conveyor, the conveyor sheath having an opening at eachof a loading end and a dispensing end of the conveyor sheath.
 5. Thefeed delivery system of claim 4, wherein the second conveyor is aconveyor selected from the group of conveyors consisting of belts,chains, and augers.
 6. The feed delivery system of claim 1, wherein theconduit apparatus comprises a first conduit and a second conduit, thefirst conduit being in communication with the second conveyor, and thesecond conduit being in communication with the first conduit.
 7. Thefeed delivery system of claim 6, wherein the first conduit is formed ofa flexible material.
 8. The feed delivery system of claim 6, wherein thesecond conduit is formed of a rigid material.
 9. The feed deliverysystem of claim 6, wherein the second conduit comprises a rotatable doorand a retention mechanism configured to selectively cover an opening ata dispensing end of the second conduit.
 10. The feed delivery system ofclaim 9, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a hinge, a firsttensioning member, and a tensioning member anchor.
 11. The feed deliverysystem of claim 10, wherein the retention mechanism further comprises anoperational handle and an offsetting member.
 12. The feed deliverysystem of claim 1, wherein the conveyor attachment structure comprises arotation member.
 13. The feed delivery system of claim 12, wherein therotation member comprises a bearing.
 14. The feed delivery system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one cradle attached to an outsidesurface of the first feed container.
 15. The feed delivery systems ofclaim 14, wherein the cradle comprises an extension member and a supportmember attached at one end to the extension member and at another end tothe outside surface of the first feed container.
 16. The feed deliverysystem of claim 15, further comprising a conforming support member andat least one receiving member.
 17. A portable feed delivery systemcomprising: a first feed container comprising: a plurality of wallshaving vertical regions and angled regions defining an interior volume,the walls forming a trough running along the longitudinal length of thefirst feed container and having an aperture at a dispensing end of thefirst feed container; a baffle disposed above the trough; and a bodymember attached to the aperture of the trough and having a lower edge,and a flow restrictor attached to said lower edge forming a gap betweenthe flow restrictor and the first conveyor apparatus, wherein the bodymember can be translated vertically; a first conveyor apparatus disposedwithin the trough and having a dispensing end extending out the apertureof the trough comprising: a first conveyor selected from the group ofconveyors consisting of belts, chains, and augers; a first drivingmechanism operably associated with the first conveyor; and a powersource operably associated with the first driving mechanism; a secondfeed container comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of wallsdefining an internal volume and an open upper area, further comprising aconveyor attachment structure comprising a bearing disposed within theinternal volume, the second feed container being positioned such thatthe open upper area is underneath the dispensing end of the firstconveyor apparatus; a second conveyor apparatus having a loading end anda dispensing end, the loading end being disposed within the internalvolume of the second feed container and attached to the conveyorattachment structure, the second conveyor apparatus extending throughthe open upper area of the second feed container, and the dispensing endbeing located at an end of the second conveyor apparatus opposite theloading end, comprising: a second conveyor selected from the group ofconveyors consisting of belts, chains, and augers; and a conveyor sheathdisposed about the second conveyor, the conveyor sheath having anopening at each of a loading end and a dispensing end of the conveyorsheath; at least one cradle attached to an outside surface of the firstfeed container, each cradle comprising an extension member and a supportmember attached at one end to the extension member and at another end tothe outside surface of the first feed container; and a conduit apparatusattached to the dispensing end of the second conveyor apparatuscomprising a first conduit formed of a flexible material and a secondconduit formed of a rigid material, the first conduit being incommunication with the second conveyor and the second conduit being incommunication with the first conduit, the second conduit comprising arotatable door and a retention mechanism configured to selectively coveran opening at a dispensing end of the second conduit.
 18. The feeddelivery system of claim 17, wherein each cradle further comprises aconforming support member and at least one receiving member.
 19. Thefeed delivery system of claim 17, wherein the retention mechanismcomprises a hinge, a first tensioning member, and a tensioning memberanchor.
 20. The feed delivery system of claim 19, wherein the retentionmechanism further comprises an operational handle and an offsettingmember.